The list of devices receiving the update says two things about Samsung: first, it's not too bad about providing continued support compared to other Android OEMs, at least for its most popular handsets. A two-year support window seems to be a reasonable expectation, if you buy new devices around the time they're released. Second, it offers a truly dizzying array of phones and tablets that would confuse even the most informed consumer (I had to Google the Galaxy Light before I even knew what it was). Other handset makers, like HTC, whom we'll pick on only because it provided us a recent and prominent example, seem to have trouble keeping even their flagship phones updated for that long. Even though we don't have a release window for any of Samsung's updates yet, this is good news for most of its customers.

Aside from the under-the-hood upgrades included with KitKat, updated devices will receive a handful of Samsung-specific features, including a new Location Menu, an "Enhanced Messaging" function that will allow you to choose between Samsung's Messages app or Google Hangouts for texting and will support a wider number of emojis, and upgraded Google (GMS) apps. Samsung's Android 4.3 update, which has already rolled out to a fair number of the listed devices, included a handful of other features, including support for the Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

My last phone was a Motorola Atrix 4G that I bought Christmas, 2011 (so it had been out about 6-9 months, I think?). Anyway, they never updated the OS the entire time I owned it, and finally replaced it with my S4 around October 2013. It's already been updated once, now the second update is pending.

My last phone was a Motorola Atrix 4G that I bought Christmas, 2011 (so it had been out about 6-9 months, I think?). Anyway, they never updated the OS the entire time I owned it, and finally replaced it with my S4 around October 2013. It's already been updated once, now the second update is pending.

Lightning quick, at least compared to what I was used to.

Had you got the GPE you would have had 4.4 since it was released (I think it was 2 weeks after)

The fact that this isn't being rolled out to every phone in that list but only if the carriers agree is another thing that is wrong with the US cell phone industry.

I'm glad to see the S3 on the list, but I shudder to think how long my carrier will take to approve the update after Samsung releases it. I'm no iOS enthusiast, but I wish I didn't have to have two separate middle-men (OEM and carrier) between me and an Android software update.

Hoping this will smooth things out for my Note 10.1 2014. Jumped wagon from nexus 10 since it was becoming too old and google is still not delivering, but the Note really lags even with all the hardware underneath it...

Ah, but who are the select carriers? I need to know! If T-Mobile isn't one of them, then this sucks and ain't much of an update (at least for me). But it is nice to see Samsung will update the android versions for their older phones. That's a nice incentive to be with Samsung.

My last phone was a Motorola Atrix 4G that I bought Christmas, 2011 (so it had been out about 6-9 months, I think?). Anyway, they never updated the OS the entire time I owned it, and finally replaced it with my S4 around October 2013. It's already been updated once, now the second update is pending.

Lightning quick, at least compared to what I was used to.

Had you got the GPE you would have had 4.4 since it was released (I think it was 2 weeks after)

The fact that this isn't being rolled out to every phone in that list but only if the carriers agree is another thing that is wrong with the US cell phone industry.

You'll get an update (timeframe unspecified) on these phones (depending on carrier).And, as comments are pointing out, which versions of these phones? Sorry if I'm unimpressed, I heard this same crap with the Vibrant (SGS) and gave Samsung another chance only to see things not improve with the Hercules (SGS2).

So the like million different models that came out about the same time is forgotten. I'm actually ok with that, upgrading my phone os has never been important to me.

I would almost say the number of devices they have is almost hurting them. The flagships is one thing, but as soon as you look at something beside the Galaxy S and Note it's a bit blurry. And they all look the same. I know people who ended up gettig an iPhone just because that was easier and they knew it was a solid decision. And if you widen the scope and start looking att EVERY handset ... it gets messy quick.

Overall the plethora of choice is a good thing, but it can be pretty annoying. EVen more so if you want continued support for your phone.

Nice timing on the article. This morning FoxFi warned me that if I upgraded to 4.4 my wifi tethering might not work. So much for not being allowed to restricting tethering on devices. Thanks to Verizon's locked bootloader I can't upgrade to cyanogenmod either. So I won't be updating.

The only reason I'm still with them is a) the tethering and b) grandfathered unlimited data plan. Looks like my next phone upgrade will mean switching providers too.

Nice to see them still supporting the S3. It has an excellent chipset (The S4 is great), good RAM, and a good resolution. HTC has the exact same phone (One X) but they're pretty much set on ending support at 4.2.

HTC has said they're going to start actually caring, and this demonstrates Samsung seems to be caring. It's good for end users that they can get official updates. I'm generally a fan of Cyanogenmod and such but you're really kidding yourself if you think those aren't without problems until the official ROMs come out with updated kernels and drivers.

My work S4 from VZW... 4.3... Why is it that carriers wait so long to "allow" upgrades to the newest version of Android? And why is it that the handset manufacturers take so long to kick it out to them?

I don't understand it. (Again, I'm not getting into iOS/Android wars.. They both have their place and I like them both)

My work S4 from VZW... 4.3... Why is it that carriers wait so long to "allow" upgrades to the newest version of Android? And why is it that the handset manufacturers take so long to kick it out to them?

I don't understand it. (Again, I'm not getting into iOS/Android wars.. They both have their place and I like them both)

My understanding is that Apple just sells so many phones that it had more power than the carriers did, allowing it to dictate terms re: updates, branding, and pre-installed apps. The tables are turned for most of the Android OEMs—they need the carriers in order to succeed more than the carriers need them, so they sign over more control of their devices.

I'm surprised that so many people here, on a tech site, aren't running something like CyanogenMod if timely updates to the OS is that important to them.

For me, personally, it is. That's why I installed CM pretty much the day after I bought my GS3, and why I keep it updated. I've been running KK for a few months now. I believe CM11 came out about a month after KK was released.

I'm surprised that so many people here, on a tech site, aren't running something like CyanogenMod if timely updates to the OS is that important to them.P

Heartily seconded! I've downloaded and installed 6 Cyanogen updates in the 7 months since I bought my Galaxy S4. Updating is even easier than installing it the first time (barring one update where I had to separately update the Play Store and other Google apps). It was actually kind of shocking to me just how far behind the official firmware is.

If you care about updates, going for a popular custom firmware like CyanogenMod is the way to go. The sad downside is that you sometimes need to navigate various shady-looking sites or follow arcane instructions for how to root your phone originally. (It's reassuring that Cyanogen's first move after incorporating was to tackle this problem, even if Google blocked them.) Still, if you're bold enough to give it a shot, it's not that hard in practice.

Looking forward to any SIII update that doesn't involve the constant face-raping of my battery that 4.3 began. Really, it needs 1%/minute even after reboot with nothing open? Hope 4.4 is more power-conscious.

Andrew Cunningham / Andrew has a B.A. in Classics from Kenyon College and has over five years of experience in IT. His work has appeared on Charge Shot!!! and AnandTech, and he records a weekly book podcast called Overdue.